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Health Care Professionals' Perceptions of the Use of Electronic Medical Records

Health Care Professionals' Perceptions of the Use of Electronic Medical Records

Health Care Professionals' Perceptions of the Use of Electronic Medical Records

Author:

Adebisi Adeyeye

Program of study:

D.H.A.

Abstract:

Electronic medical record (EMR) use has improved significantly in health care
organizations. However, many barriers and factors influence the success of EMR
implementation and adoption. The purpose of the descriptive qualitative single-case
study was to explore health care professionals’ perceptions of the use of EMRs at a
hospital division of a major medical center. The study findings highlighted the
challenges in transitioning from paper records to EMR despite the many benefits and
potential improvement in health care. A description of the 16 health care professionals’
perceptions of EMR use emerged by adopting the unified theory of acceptance and use of
technology (UTAUT) model and NVivo 10 computer software to aid with the analysis of
semi-structured, recorded, and transcribed interviews. Themes emerging from the
analysis were in five categories: (a) Experience of health care professionals with a
subtheme of workflow, (b) Challenges in transition from paper to EMR, (c) Barriers to
EMR acceptance, with a subtheme of privacy, confidentiality, and security, (d)
Leadership support, and (d) Success of EMR. The findings of the case study may inform
health care industry decision makers of additional social and behavioral factors needed
for successful EMR strategic planning, implementation, and maintenance.

This dissertation is dedicated to God’s glory, faithfulness, and mercy and to my
three wonderful children, Mary, John, and Grace, for your perseverance and patience
during this doctoral journey. I could never have accomplished this without your
understanding and obedience. Mary, thank you for your sacrifice; I know it was not easy.

Acknowledgements:

I am eternally indebted to my dissertation chair, Dr. Joann Kovacich, who was a
constant source of encouragement and motivation for me during this journey. I am
deeply grateful to my committee members, Dr. Elizabeth Young and Dr. Stephanie
Hoffman, for their support and valuable feedback. I would like to thank Dr. Randall
Medeiros, who briefly served as my committee member. I appreciate their guidance.
I would like to thank my mother for being there for my children and me during
this fruitful journey. I would like to acknowledge my friends for their support. A special
acknowledgment goes to Dr. Berger, Mrs. Jeanne Demarzo, and all the health care
professionals who volunteered to participate in the study. Finally, I would like to
acknowledge my organization’s support for providing an environment that made it
possible for me to achieve my goal.